‘Gold standard': Plane spotters in Calgary hope for glimpse of Air Force 1 at G7
Plane spotter Corbin Johnson is shown at the Calgary International Airport on Saturday, June 14, 2025. With world leaders arriving in Calgary for the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis, Alta., airplane enthusiasts are setting up shop at the Calgary airport in hopes of seeing some exciting aircraft. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland
Airplane enthusiasts are setting up at the Calgary International Airport in hopes of seeing some exciting aircraft land for the start of the G7 leaders' summit in nearby Kananaskis, Alta.
Corbin Johnson wants to catch a glimpse of the plane carrying U.S. President Donald Trump.
'Air Force 1 is certainly the gold standard, but I think myself and everyone else is very excited to see all the other aircraft are coming,' Corbin Johnson said Saturday, as he checked out a viewing area of the airport.
The spot is also one of three designated demonstration zones that police have set up in Calgary, with another in Banff.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting G7 leaders from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Italy, who were expected to arrive Sunday for the start of the three-day summit in Kananaskis, southwest of Calgary in the Rocky Mountains. Some leaders of non-member countries, including Ukraine and India, are also set to attend.
Johnson, a camera around his neck, said he posts all his plane photos on Instagram.
'My love of airplanes, I would say started right here, where we're standing. My parents would take me here to plane spot and look at all the planes that would come through here,' he said.
'This is absolutely my number 1 hobby. It's something you can make as full time as you kind of want to.'
While Johnson and some other plane spotters were getting the lay of the land, several police vehicles drove through the parking lot.
A sign on the runway fence topped with barbed wire warns: 'No Drone Zone.' Air restrictions over the airport and Kananaskis Village went into effect Saturday morning.
Police said they have received indications that protesters are expected, and the demonstrations are to be broadcast on TVs set up for the leaders in Kananaskis.
RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall said he just wants the protests to be peaceful.
'We know it's important for people to have their message seen and heard by the world leaders, and it's for this reason we've established live feeds,' he said.
'We police behaviours and not beliefs. And so I'd just encourage everyone to look to conduct any demonstration activity over the next few days in a lawful, peaceful and safe manner.'
--Bill Graveland
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
25 minutes ago
- CBC
Toronto residents march against 'corporate greed' and inaction solving housing crisis
A protest against large corporate landlords sprawled across Toronto's downtown. Activists accuse these big companies of jacking up rents and contributing to the city's housing crisis, while accusing the city of not doing enough to stop them. CBC's Naama Weingarten reports.
CBC
25 minutes ago
- CBC
Protesters in Montreal show support for Gaza, denounce 'red lines crossed' by Israel
Anne-Marie Barabé was under no illusions. In the last 20 months, Montreal has been host to countless protests denouncing Israel's relentless bombing campaign in Gaza. Participating in the latest one on Saturday afternoon, the Montrealer acknowledged, is unlikely to have a direct effect on what's happening thousands of kilometres away. But Barabé felt she had to be there. "We feel so helpless," she said. "We find that our governments are very timid when it comes to the situation and what's happening is completely intolerable." Another protester, Julie Guernier, described what's happening in Gaza as a genocide being broadcast live. According to La Presse Canadienne, Barabé and Guernier were among several thousand protesters who gathered near the Guy-Concordia Metro station downtown, before marching to the recently inaugurated Place des Montréalaises. Many were either dressed in red shirts, or waved the red, white, black and green Palestinian flag in a display meant to symbolize "the many red lines crossed by Israel in Gaza," according to the news release for the protest. Organizers were also urging Canada "to move now from words to actions," the news release reads. The event was organized jointly by a long list of organizations: Amnistie internationale Canada Francophone, Doctors Without Borders Canada, Save the Children Canada, and Oxfam-Québec to name a few. 'Hunger is being used as a war weapon' In an interview with Radio-Canada, Béatrice Vaugrante, the executive director for Oxfam-Québec, described Canada's actions — or inaction — as a "monumental legal and moral failure." "Hunger is being used as a war weapon. We have a population that is really on the edge of famine with bombings that target civil infrastructure and the population," Vaugrante said. A new analysis by the Crisis Group, an NGO that studies global conflicts, concludes that Israel's military has turned Gaza into a giant "experiment in starvation" and is creating conditions for the forced displacement of Palestinians by keeping people fed just enough to stay alive, but hungry enough to rebel against Hamas. Last month, the Gaza Humanitaran Fund (GHF), a group backed by the U.S. that has drawn criticism and strong condemnation from other agencies, began its aid distribution operation in the enclave. A collection of Western aid agencies have accused Israel of using the GHF to deliberately herd Palestinians out of their homes in order to be closer to the aid distribution centres, where it will be it easier to move them out of Gaza permanently. GHF took over delivering aid in Gaza at the end of May, after Israel lifted its almost three month-long blockade of the territory. In a post on X, Israel's Foreign Ministry wrote:"Hundreds of trucks. Millions of meals. Every Single Day. One of the largest humanitarian aid operations in the world is currently reaching the people of Gaza — enabled by Israel." The organizers for Saturday's protest in Montreal are calling for a permanent ceasefire and for Canada to work to put an end to the displacement of people in the West Bank. Vaugrante appeared hopeful that protests, like the one on Saturday, can make a difference. "All action, peaceful action, are welcome," she said. "Everything we've done together, from marches to artistic expressions to signing petitions, meeting elected officials, this plurality of action means that the pressure is ramping up." Earlier this week, Canada joined the U.K., Norway, Australia and New Zealand in sanctioning two Israeli ministers for "inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank" — a move condemned by the Trump Administration. 'No words' Israel began a military campaign in Gaza after it was attacked by Hamas-led militants, who killed some 1,200 people and took about 251 hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli authorities say. Since then, nearly 55,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health authorities in Gaza, and much of the densely populated strip has been flattened. "There are no words left to describe the situation in Gaza right now," said Mélanie Jomphe, who also attended Saturday's protest in Montreal. Jomphe is in charge of human resources in for Doctors Without Borders. She said she worked in Gaza for five months in Deir al Balah, a city in the centre of the Gaza strip. In recent days, part of the focus has shifted onto tensions between Israel and Iran that have escalated significantly. On Sunday, Israel unleashed airstrikes across Iran for a third day and threatened even greater force as some Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defences to strike buildings in the heart of the country. Israel's strikes have killed at least 406 people in Iran and wounded another 654, according to a human rights group that has long followed developments in the country, Washington-based Human Rights Activists. Iran's government has not offered overall casualty figures. Israel said 14 people have been killed there since Friday and 390 wounded.
CTV News
31 minutes ago
- CTV News
Banff will see a good few days, hoping for a good few years as a result of G7 Leaders' Summit
The G7 Leaders' Summit is putting a spotlight on the Canadian Rockies, with Banff ready to gain some visitors and worldwide exposure from the event. The G7 Leaders' Summit is putting a spotlight on the Canadian Rockies, with Banff ready to gain some visitors and worldwide exposure from the event. The area is hosting international media as well as one of the designated demonstration zones. The town, which already has heavy foot traffic in the summer, is about to get a little busier as the area embraces the energy of the G7 Leaders' Summit being held in Kananaskis. The Japanese delegation has several members staying in Banff, and they have no complaints about that. 'So beautiful. … Fresh air and kind people,' said Suguru Hayashida, first secretary with the Japanese embassy in Canada. In addition to hosting some delegates, the Banff Centre serves as the international media centre for the three-day event. And on the edge of town, the recreation centre's parking lot is a designated demonstration zone—its location strategically chosen, away from homes and the hustle and bustle. 'Folks who are planning to protest or demonstrate can expect to see a police presence,' said Cpl. Carlie McCann with the RCMP. 'Our goal for that is to be there, to allow it to be safe and to potentially step in if needed, if there's criminal activity.' Banff's welcome sign has been temporarily removed since visitors will be unable to access the rec centre parking lot to get photos. The G7 Leaders' Summit comes as the area is already flooded with visitors. On Sunday, it hosted a half-marathon. 'It's the busy weekend,' said Christie Pashby, Banff and Lake Louise Tourism director of communication and engagement. But businesses aren't shying away from the added influx of people. 'I think it is really exciting to have such a big global event here,' said Gemma Cashman with Big Bear Trading Company. It's a sentiment shared across town. There's hope this will spiral into future international visitation. 'Definitely a good three days. But hoping it's going to be a good next three years as a result of the summit,' said Kyler Brierley with Good Earth Banff.
